Seismological Vault, Eskdalemuir Observatory

The Seismological Vault, built between 1904 and 1908 by W T Oldrieve, is a large, barrel-vaulted subterranean chamber located beneath a turf-clad mound. Within the main chamber are two smaller chambers, both encircled by corridors. The vault was constructed to measure variations in the North and to monitor movements within the Earth’s core. The south-facing entrance is at a tunnel mouth and has been treated similarly to the main buildings of the observatory; it features whinstone facing with contrasting dressings, and an arched window. A brick-built porch now shelters the entrance door. The interior walls are lined with cork. Mountings for early seismological instrumentation remain in place.